Heavy rainfall drenched the area Friday morning, causing evacuation scares at an apartment complex in Ross County.
Residents at Bainbridge Manor Apartments on Shawnee Street in Bainbridge were in jeopardy of being displaced after floodwaters raised so high many tenants reported standing water halfway to their knees.
The Ross County Sheriff’s office was called to the scene and quickly worked with the local fire department to rescue those who were in threat of immediate danger. Initially, evacuations were underway, but upon further consultation between the Sheriff’s office and the county EMA, having people leave their homes is currently on hold.
“I’m worried more rain is going to be coming and it’s going to be worse than it is now,” said Ross County EMA Director Paul Minney. “Right now, we’re on hold [with evacuations].”
Approximately eight apartments face the worse in a complex of around 30 units.
Minney said with meteorologists calling for more rain Friday evening, he is afraid that the flood water will rise.
The EMA Director requested the assistance of a private contractor who brought in pump trucks in an effort to clear some of the water out of the area.
The Ross County chapter of The American Red Cross was dispatched to the scene. Together, the local agencies have worked on a plan to open a temporary shelter at the Bainbridge Community Center should the flooding worsen.
AEP was also on scene to keep an eye on power lines and ground transformers in the area.